Sherlock Holmes - E6: The Case of the Shy Ballerina
30min | Crime, Drama, Mystery | TV Series (1954–1955)
Dr. Watson accidentally comes home from his club with another man's coat, providing an important clue when the other man is murdered late that same night.
Stars: Ronald Howard, Howard Marion-Crawford, Archie Duncan
30min | Crime, Drama, Mystery | TV Series (1954–1955)
Dr. Watson accidentally comes home from his club with another man's coat, providing an important clue when the other man is murdered late that same night.
Stars: Ronald Howard, Howard Marion-Crawford, Archie Duncan
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:30It was a peaceful evening.
00:51I never suspected Inspector Lestrade would shortly be accusing me of the murder of a
00:57man I had yet to meet.
00:59Do you like Porjach?
01:04Yes, you must play him sometime.
01:11I have been.
01:14Oh.
01:16Do you care to go out?
01:19Why?
01:20Oh, I notice a walk somewhere.
01:22I feel restless.
01:24Why don't you read, Holmes?
01:28What about the tigers of India?
01:30Well, it's a jolly instinct, especially about the female of the species.
01:34Female of the species usually is.
01:38It says here that they often attack when you think they're going to run and run when you
01:42think they're going to attack.
01:43Fascinating.
01:44Here.
01:45Oh, no.
01:46Now, come, come.
01:47The exercise will do you good.
01:48You mustn't allow yourself to vaginate and grow, uh, static.
01:51Obviously, a man of your former violent habits.
01:53Tiger hunting in India, horse marches, Watson.
01:55Come on.
01:56All right, then.
01:57All right, Holmes.
01:58All right.
01:59But only a short one, mind, because this is no time to go promenading.
02:05Blast.
02:06Bring my hat, will you?
02:07There you are, boy.
02:08Any problem?
02:09Well, look.
02:10Look, this isn't my carriage.
02:11It's aint like it, but it just isn't.
02:12Too small?
02:13Well, yes.
02:14Well, you'd probably pick someone else up at the...
02:16No, I...
02:17Oh, look.
02:18It's a letter, honey.
02:19It's got an address.
02:20It doesn't make any sense.
02:21Let's see.
02:2212 heroes with broken feet.
02:23Unsigned.
02:24Wow, that sounds silly to me.
02:25Hmm.
02:26Written by a woman, and dashed off in a hurry, too.
02:27It is a bold hand, Watson.
02:28A woman of strength and character.
02:29Capable of violence, I'd say.
02:30It's all a bit...
02:31It's all a bit...
02:32It's all a bit...
02:33It's all a bit...
02:34It's all a bit...
02:35Well, I...
02:36I...
02:37I...
02:38I have to go.
02:39I'll be back.
02:40I'll be back.
02:41I have to go.
02:42I have to go.
02:43I'll be back.
02:44Yes, I'd say. Like your tiger's red.
02:55Which of you two gentlemen is Dr. Watson?
02:57I am, sir.
02:59Thank goodness I found you, Doctor.
03:01The cloakroom attendant of the club told me this must be your coat and our...
03:04Ah, yes, I see you have it, Doctor.
03:06As a matter of fact, we've only just discovered the mistake.
03:08In fact, we were on our way back to the...
03:10I say, would you mind, Holmes?
03:11Yes, of course.
03:20There we are.
03:21Oh!
03:23So sorry.
03:24There we are.
03:26Thank you, Doctor. Thank you.
03:28Good night, gentlemen. I'm sorry about the mistake.
03:30Good night. Good night.
03:39I say, Holmes.
03:40Yes, I know.
03:42He took your hat.
03:43Oh, no. Now, really, that's gone too far.
03:45There's a limit to these things. Really, these people...
03:47Why, don't worry about it, Holmes.
03:48The cloakroom attendant of the club will know his name and address.
03:50Well, it doesn't matter about that. It's...
03:52I don't like wearing another chap's hat, you know.
03:54It's a personal thing. I...
03:57It's like a toothbrush.
04:07The son of a title, I see.
04:08The, uh, family crest.
04:11Been to Russia, too.
04:12Samovar.
04:13A nice pair of icons.
04:15You know, it was beginning to rain when we came in here.
04:17I hope that chap's had the decency not to get my hat absolutely soaked.
04:21Hmm, Watson.
04:22Ah, I see he composes, too.
04:24Or someone does.
04:30Holmes, what do you think you're doing?
04:32You just can't start barging into a chap's house and start playing his piano.
04:36The violin is really my instrument, Watson.
04:38But I have a certain facility with the piano, even if I do say so.
04:42Do you know what this piece is called?
04:44No, I don't. I couldn't care less.
04:46Will you stop playing that thing?
04:48The Spider's Web.
04:49A ballet, apparently.
04:51And at this point, the spider attacks the fly.
05:01You gentlemen wish to see my husband?
05:03I'm Mrs. Chelmson.
05:04How do you do? I'm Dr. Watson.
05:06This is my friend, Mr. Holmes.
05:08Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes.
05:11Madam, I've come here to return your husband's hat.
05:14He left it in our flat this evening.
05:16I thank you. I'm afraid my husband isn't home, Dr. Watson.
05:20Well, I wonder if you'd be good enough to ask him if, at his earliest convenience, he could return mine.
05:25My husband has other hats. Perhaps you...
05:28Oh, no, no. Thank you very much indeed.
05:30I'm very partial to my own.
05:33Well, I'm sorry to have disturbed you, Mrs. Chelmson.
05:36Chelmson.
05:43Mr. Holmes?
05:44Yes, madam?
05:46May I ask, did my husband go to your flat to consult you professionally?
05:51No. No, he merely came to return Dr. Watson's coat, which he had also taken by mistake.
05:56Then, Mr. Holmes, I would like to consult you professionally.
06:01My services are always available to anyone who has genuine need of them.
06:05My husband is in trouble.
06:07He gave us that impression.
06:10He's being blackmailed.
06:12By whom?
06:14Six months ago, we returned to London from St. Petersburg, where my husband was military attaché.
06:21During his stay in St. Petersburg, he met a ballerina named Olga Yaklanov.
06:25Yaklanov.
06:27Oh, yes. The premier dancers with the St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet.
06:32Oh, yes. The troupe is playing in London now. They've been here all week.
06:36When my husband met Yaklanov in Russia, they became friendly.
06:40Oh, it was nothing more than friendship.
06:42You see, my husband is an amateur composer, and their friendship was based on mutual love of music.
06:47I see.
06:49During their friendship, my husband disclosed some military secrets unthinkingly to Yaklanov.
06:56My husband was at 5,000 pounds, but then he was transferred to London.
07:00Now she's renewed her demands.
07:02Your husband has told you of this?
07:04Only of the original demand in St. Petersburg, but I know that she's renewed it here in London.
07:09Do you expect him back this evening?
07:12I don't know. His whole routine has been upset.
07:17Mr. Holmes, you must help.
07:19Madam, I detest blackmail in any form.
07:22You'll hear from me tomorrow.
07:26Oh, by the way, what was the dancer's name?
07:30Yaklanov.
07:32Oh, yes. I wonder, would you mind writing it down for me?
07:46Thank you, madam.
07:49Oh, madam, about my hat, I wonder...
07:54Yes, Dr. Watson?
07:56Oh, well, no, it doesn't matter.
08:19Did you knock on the door, Mr. Knox?
08:23I am inside, Watson, not outside.
08:26Well, it must have been somebody else. It wasn't me. I'm inside, too.
08:35Ah, Inspector!
08:37Rather late for Scotland Yard to be out and about, isn't it?
08:40Oh, I'm sorry to get you out of bed at this time of night, Mr. Holmes.
08:44You're not a very pleasant business I've come about, either.
08:47Oh, look, I say, my hat!
08:49Dr. Watson.
08:51Holmes, look what this chap's done to it. It's absolutely soaked.
08:54Dr. Watson, do you wish to make a statement?
08:57You're not obliged to, but I must warn you that anything you say will be taken down
09:01and may be used as evidence.
09:03I won't half give this chap a piece of my mind when I catch up with him.
09:07I really... What? What did you say? Who used what again?
09:10Holmes, what's he talking about?
09:13Dr. Watson, I must question you in connection with the murder of the Honorable Harry Shelton.
09:19Murder? I'll murder him when I catch up with him.
09:23I... What? What?
09:25Mr. Shelton was found murdered in St. James's Park,
09:29and your hat, Dr. Watson, was found beside the body.
09:34Oh, an embarrassing predicament, eh, Watson?
09:37Can you explain it?
09:39Well, what do you mean, can I explain it?
09:42Well, you know perfectly well how Shelton got my hat.
09:45Well, tell the man. Tell him.
09:47Mr. Traid, how was Shelton murdered?
09:49Stabbed, Mr. Holmes.
09:52In the back?
09:54And we haven't been able to find a weapon yet.
09:56Any other suspects? I mean, apart from my old friend Watson here?
10:01Well, no, unless footpads did it.
10:06I'm sorry, Dr. Watson. That's evidence, you know.
10:09Holmes, will you kindly tell the Traid how my hat got mixed up in this affair?
10:16Patience, Watson. Patience.
10:18Now go get yourself dressed. We're going to St. James's Park.
10:21If you don't mind waiting a moment, Mr. Traid.
10:24Oh, uh, Officer, you might keep an eye on Dr. Watson while he dresses.
10:29You never know, he may try and get out through the window.
10:33Well, I... I...
10:36And this is a fine example of British justice.
10:39A fella comes and pinches your hat and you accuse me of murdering him to get it back.
10:45I've never heard of such a thing in my life.
10:48I think of all the cups of tea you've had free with us.
10:51It makes me absolutely...
10:54Well, um, the body was lying about here, Mr. Holmes.
10:58I see. You removed it immediately.
11:00Well, almost immediately.
11:02What kind of body is lying about St. James's Park, you know?
11:05Anyhow, it was raining.
11:07Yes, of course, and the poor fella may have taken cold.
11:10Oh, most considerate of you, Mr. Traid.
11:12It doesn't matter what evidence you may have destroyed.
11:16Well, from what you tell me on the way up here,
11:18things are beginning to take shape.
11:20You find anything in this overcoat?
11:22No, nothing. Only that note you were talking about.
11:25You know, the one with the 12 heroes with the broken feet?
11:28Oh, that doesn't mean anything, I'm sure.
11:30No, I suppose not, Mr. Traid.
11:32And you were saying that things were beginning to shape up, eh?
11:35Oh, yes.
11:36Well, you see, Chelton met this woman in St. Petersburg.
11:40She comes to London with the bally,
11:42and she wants to renew the contract.
11:45She comes to London with the bally,
11:47and she wants to renew the friendship.
11:49He doesn't.
11:50So she lures him in here and stabs him.
11:54Very excitable, these Russian women.
11:56Take things like that seriously, you know.
11:58So all you have to do is place her here in the park, eh, Mr. Traid?
12:02Exactly.
12:03You have all the evidence you need that she was here.
12:06I have?
12:07The note, Mr. Traid.
12:08It tells Chelton to meet her here tonight.
12:11Well, I don't see it.
12:15Twelve heroes with broken feet.
12:19What have twelve heroes with broken feet to do with her meeting him here tonight?
12:23The numeral twelve, Mr. Traid, obviously refers to twelve o'clock, midnight.
12:28Well, what about the heroes with the broken feet?
12:31A slight confusion on the lady's part.
12:33Probably the influence of Cockney stagehands.
12:36She added an H where there shouldn't have been one.
12:38What?
12:39Then spell it as she spelled it, but without the H.
12:44E-R-O-S.
12:48Precisely, and here he is.
12:50Cupid, the Greek god Eros, with his broken feet.
12:57Oh, I see.
12:59Oh, then we have our murderess.
13:01It would appear so, wouldn't it?
13:04Now that the case is solved, perhaps I can go home and soak my feet.
13:14No, no, I know nothing, nothing.
13:18Please leave me alone.
13:19Please, you will go.
13:20Madam, I assure you...
13:21Where is Sergei?
13:22Oh, Sergei, come quick, quick.
13:24Help me.
13:25They want to hang your poor little Petrushka.
13:28Where is Sergei?
13:29Madam, we...
13:30Go away, you're a bad man.
13:32Disappear.
13:33Please disappear.
13:36The spider's web.
13:38Chelton wrote it.
13:39The spider's web.
13:40Chelton wrote it.
13:43Mademoiselle, perhaps you'll be good enough to write as I dictate.
13:52Twelve.
13:54Eros with broken feet.
13:58No, I did not do it, I swear.
14:01He was dead already when I got to meet him.
14:06You wish to make a statement, madam?
14:08You're not obliged to do so, but I warn you that anything you say will be taken down and may be used in evidence.
14:14He's got that expression on the brain, doesn't he?
14:17I do nothing except dance.
14:18I do not kill.
14:19I am a dancer.
14:21You do not believe me.
14:23Look, I'll show you.
14:26Madam, please.
14:27Please, madam, I implore you.
14:29Sergei, they say I killed Harry Chelton.
14:32And me, Yaklanov.
14:34Tell them I cannot kill you in a fly.
14:38Who are you?
14:39Well, I...
14:40How do you harm mademoiselle Yaklanov like this?
14:43I am Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard, and madame Yaklanov...
14:47And I, and I am Sergei Smirnov, the director of the St. Petersburg Imperial Ballet.
14:53The tsar himself shall hear of this outrage.
14:56Then, Mr. Smirnov, perhaps you will be good enough to explain the exact relationship between madame Yaklanov and Mr. Chelton.
15:04Madame appears to be, to say the least of it, incoherent.
15:14So you had an acquaintance with Chelton in London?
15:16Yes, Sergei.
15:17I saw him again.
15:19I meet Harry in St. Petersburg.
15:21He does not wish to be soldier boy, he tell me.
15:23He wish to make beautiful music like Tchaikovsky.
15:26He play his music for me, I say.
15:28Harry, you must be better soldier boy than you are music maker.
15:31You must be.
15:32It is not possible to be worse.
15:35Such music, like noises in the air.
15:38He was ridiculous.
15:39Yes.
15:40Why was he looking at you like that, madame?
15:42He has written ballet since he left St. Petersburg.
15:44The Spider's Web, he call it.
15:46He wish me to dance the spider.
15:48No.
15:49Me, Yaklanov, a spider.
15:50It is crazy.
15:52And tonight you arranged to meet him in St. James' Park after the evening performance.
15:56Yes, to tell him it is finished.
15:58No more will I listen to his music.
16:00And did you meet him in the park?
16:02Yes.
16:03But I was a little late.
16:05It was very dark.
16:07I see Harry on the ground.
16:10Dead.
16:12I see.
16:13You saw no weapon?
16:14No, no weapon.
16:15I am threatened.
16:16I run away.
16:26Not bad, Mr. Smirnov.
16:28It has certain merit.
16:30Merit?
16:32Who could possibly dance to noises like that?
16:35Listen.
16:45At the beginning, even, it is all wrong.
16:48It should go like this.
16:50In three-four time.
16:52One, two, three.
16:54One, two, three.
16:59Very pretty, Mr. Smirnov.
17:02But we happen to have a murder on our hands.
17:05Oh, madam.
17:06Does this dagger belong to you?
17:09Yes, I kill myself with it.
17:12Oh, now, really, madam, there is no need to go that far.
17:15I believe, Watson, the lady means she kills herself with it in the ballet.
17:20Yes, in the ballet.
17:22There are some interesting traces of blood on that, Lestrade.
17:25No, no.
17:27It is not true.
17:30I'm afraid, madam, I'll have to ask you to accompany me to Scotland Yard for further questioning.
17:36You will go, Olga.
17:38It is only bluff.
17:40Yes, Sergei.
17:42I will dress.
17:46I will take off the sword.
17:48Himself.
17:49Personally.
17:51You will see.
17:52It may even be war.
17:53War!
17:59War!
18:08Foreigners.
18:10Women.
18:11Nobody could be logical about them.
18:14Not even Sherlock Holmes.
18:19Holmes, can't you think sitting down?
18:21This is the third time I've read this page already.
18:24Your clan house handwriting.
18:25That's what baffles me.
18:26The hand of a strong woman.
18:27And yet you saw her, Watson.
18:28No will of her own.
18:29Absolutely no will.
18:30It's illogical.
18:32Well, the inspector seemed to think the same thing.
18:35But he's built up a pretty logical case against her with your help.
18:39Perhaps too logical.
18:41Attack when you expect them to run and run when you expect them to attack.
18:45You know, Shelton wrote pretty bad music.
18:48That could be a...
18:49motive for murder.
18:51Thought about it myself on occasion.
18:52But this handwriting, Watson.
18:54If only I could get to the bottom of it.
18:58I say, Holmes, do you think they could let me have my hat back before the trial?
19:03I didn't think my drag on for days.
19:05Lestrade keeps on saying it's evidence.
19:08Nope.
19:09There's only one thing to do.
19:10Have Lestrade confront Sergei Smirnoff with Mrs. Shelton.
19:14Why?
19:15Because it's perfectly obvious why.
19:17Because it's perfectly obvious why and by whom Shelton was killed.
19:21The only thing I can't get to the bottom of is this mysterious business of the handwriting.
19:27Do you know who murdered Shelton then?
19:30Yes, of course I do.
19:31Don't you?
19:43Then you never met Sergei Smirnoff before, Mrs. Shelton.
19:45Either in St. Petersburg or London.
19:48I know, Mr. Holmes.
19:50Brought Mr. Smirnoff along as you asked me to, Mr. Holmes.
19:53Oh, good.
19:54Ah!
19:55Mr. Brazier!
19:56I beg your pardon?
19:57I am furious!
20:00Right in the midst of rehearsal, I am dragged away!
20:04Well, I'm sure the good inspector apologized most profusely, Mr. Smirnoff.
20:07I don't believe you've met Mrs. Shelton.
20:09Hmm?
20:10Mrs. Shelton.
20:11Who?
20:12Mrs. Shelton.
20:13Ah!
20:14Murder!
20:27Then perhaps, Mr. Smirnoff, you'd be good enough to play the introductory music to The Spider's Web Ballet for Mrs. Shelton, as you did for us last night.
20:35Eh?
20:37Didn't it strike you as curious, Lestrade, that Mr. Smirnoff should know Shelton's ballet music?
20:42Which wasn't composed until after Shelton left St. Petersburg?
20:46Well, I...
20:48Uh...
20:49Yaklin often showed to him.
20:51She did everything she could to hide their meetings.
20:54That left only one place where he could have learned that music.
20:59Here.
21:00In this house.
21:02At that piano.
21:04In Shelton's absence, naturally.
21:07I don't follow you, Holmes.
21:09The budding affair of the heartless trade was not, as Mrs. Shelton would have us believe,
21:14between her husband and Mlle. Yaklinoff,
21:17but between herself and Mr. Smirnoff.
21:23Between Smirnoff and Mrs. Shelton?
21:26Ridiculous.
21:28Then how did you learn Shelton's ballet?
21:31I...
21:34Do you wish to make a statement, sir?
21:36You're not obliged to do so, but I warn you that anything you say will be taken down and maybe...
21:40Are these the shoes you meant, Holmes?
21:43I believe so, Watson.
21:45Mrs. Shelton, did you by any chance go out last night after Dr. Watson and I departed?
21:51No, I didn't.
21:54I mean, no, I didn't.
21:57Yet these are the shoes you were wearing.
21:59If you didn't go out, how do you account for the mud on the soles
22:03and the blades of grass?
22:06It didn't start to rain until after we left.
22:12Mr. Holmes, I don't think it's necessary that I explain anything.
22:16But you...
22:18Do you mean she did it or he did it or both?
22:22Who are you accusing of murder, Holmes?
22:25Mrs. Shelton, alone.
22:27Alone.
22:31So you killed for love of me?
22:34And accomplished the double task of placing the guilt on Mademoiselle Yaxonov.
22:38You undoubtedly found her note in your husband's pocket.
22:44To kill for love.
22:47I can understand.
22:50But to blame poor little Olga.
22:54That I will never forgive.
22:58Who would replace her in the ballet?
23:00You seem to forget, Mr. Holmes, that the dagger was found in Mademoiselle Yaxonov's room.
23:06Ah, yes, the dagger.
23:08When did Mrs. Shelton have the dagger, Mr. Smirnoff?
23:11Three days ago.
23:13I forget to leave it here after the ballet.
23:16The next day, Elaine returned it to me.
23:19With a few drops of her own blood on it.
23:23Holmes, are you sure this time?
23:26I was almost sure from the beginning, Lestrade.
23:28I just couldn't explain the handwriting and the temperament.
23:31And there really wasn't a logical explanation.
23:33I mean the strong-minded woman with the weak handwriting.
23:36And the weak-minded woman with the strong handwriting.
23:39The inconsistency of the female, Watson.
23:41Yet she was clever.
23:43In engaging me to make sure that Mademoiselle Yaxonov would be suspected.
23:47Mrs. Shelton, I must ask you to come with me to Scotland Yard.
23:51Do you wish to make a statement?
23:56You're not obliged to, but...
23:58I warn you that anything you say will be taken down and may be used in evidence.
24:14I must go and free poor little Olga from prison.
24:18She has suffered so.
24:23She will dance so much better now.
24:25Oh!
24:32You mean then, Holmes, that you knew Mrs. Shelton had committed the murder,
24:35but the one thing that confused you was her handwriting?
24:37Her handwriting and character, Watson.
24:39The evidence was logical, but the personalities were not.
24:43Well, they were logical enough in their way.
24:45Holmes, they were just feminine.
24:46Yes, that's it, Watson.
24:48They were just feminine.
24:50I must devote more time to that, Watson.
24:53I must devote more time to that.
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